How outdated solar panels can fuel a second life
The global adoption of rooftop solar in Australia is creating a growing waste problem, as many photovoltaic systems are prematurely retired and sent to landfill. A team from the University of South Australia outlines how standards, incentives, testing and certification for reuse can extend the life of panels and reduce the carbon footprint of solar energy.
The study led by UniSA PhD candidate Ishika Chhillar assesses technical, economic and regulatory barriers to reuse and maps a mitigation pathway to build a credible secondary market for used panels. Recycling alone will not divert most end-of-life units from landfills without policies and market signals that make reuse practical.
“The large-scale reuse of PV panels faces technical, economic and regulatory barriers,” says Chhillar.
“There are many significant challenges, including the low cost of new panels that undermine the PV panel resale market, a lack of incentives for reuse of the panels, differing reuse policies between states, lack of liability for second-hand installations, and limited infrastructure for testing and refurbishing used panels.”
“Industry, government, academics and consumers all recognize that these barriers can and should be overcome, and that, with the right frameworks, Australia can extend the life of its solar panels, with real environmental and social benefits in the process.”
As new panels become cheaper, second-hand units are struggling to compete and there are currently no rebates for installing reused panels. Fragmented state regulations, unclear accountability, and limited testing/renovation capacity further hinder adoption, the authors note.
“Currently, the lack of any standard certification for used panels means buyers and installers have little to rely on other than the seller’s word, but an official certification process would change that,” she says.
“A credible certification program must include standardized testing protocols for used panels. By bridging the trust gap, certification can transform reused panels from a high-risk option into a transparent and standardized product category.
“One option is for the certification to be accompanied by a clear, consumer-friendly rating system, such as a gold, silver or bronze rating or a star label to indicate a panel’s remaining efficiency and expected lifespan, allowing buyers to make informed decisions.”
Associate Professor Sukhbir Sandhu adds that digital traceability could streamline reuse decisions by recording the history and performance of each panel.
“If the history and performance data of each solar panel could be recorded in a database accessible to buyers and regulators, this would dramatically reduce uncertainty,” she says.
“Industry experts we spoke to for this research have proposed solutions ranging from simple QR code labels to blockchain-based platforms that track a panel’s ‘digital passport’ throughout its lifespan.
“This transparency would enable faster decisions on whether a panel is suitable for reuse, without the need for additional testing with each change of ownership.”
“We have other established practices in electronics, batteries and mobile phones,” she says. “By embracing a structured approach to the repurposing of solar panels, the renewable energy sector can significantly extend the life cycle of these resources, contributing to a more sustainable, efficient and circular economy.”
Research report:Solar panel reuse certification: a systematic review of cross-sector practices and gaps
